I am having same issues as APj with BMW perf suspension with steering wheel binding to one side only in parking lots and then self correcting. I had the install shop look at installation twice. Is there any pics I can send you to verify?

Im wondering now if the bottom of the shock is all the way into the spindle. I have seen a customer who came in with the shock not all the way into the spindle and it caused the car to do some crazy things.

Quote:

Originally Posted by phozenstone

I hear for it to fit on Xi we just need the "I" top hats. Can you confirm? If so you should sell as a package for Xi applications

Yes this is now confirmed. XI models can order the lowering hats and the upper hats from us.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 08msportx3

This is correct as I have done the I tophats on my 09 Lci xdrive and it works perfect. IT HAS BEEN CONFIRMED

Yes finally! Thank you 08msportx3!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilvosko

wow, i am still having issues. poping and clunking and then car pulls to the side i turned AFTER i straighten the wheel. everything looks tight and intact. WTF? please help.

Need pics to help you out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by platnumdesi01

I had mine installed by a professional and we re-used the rubber part as he was worried about noise etc. Regardless the car is lower and I love it.

The rubber is not needed. Only effect is it would not lower it all the way.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 08msportx3

check the washer at bottom of bearing if thats installed wrong way it will cause these issues you speak of . good luck

#8 in the photo below needs the flat part of the washer to be lower than the domed portion which the bearing from the top hat sits on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilvosko

I don't get the washer notes. Is it any different from stock? Does it have to be flipped?

ED: i should also note, compressing springs, much like adding lowered springs, will reduce the life of the strut, not only compromise ride quality and safety... do this at your own risk .

These perches actually lengthen the static distance from Bottom Spring Perch (fixed on strut) to Top Spring Perch (Supreme Power) so the spring is not as compressed upon top hat assembly as it was with stock top hat.

Thus, the car now sees an initially lighter spring (same spring but not as compressed as stock assembly) with the strut sitting further into its stroke (hence the approximate 0.5 inch lowering), and in my case has further increases bump stop activity. Outcome will vary based on existing strut/spring that is used and their related baseline performance.

The rubber is not needed. Only effect is it would not lower it all the way.

You have provided a lot of good feedback and I plan on buying from you.

I disagree with your statement that the rubber is not needed. The thickness of the rubber will have minimum effect on the ride height, but it provides movement without squeaks and pops. I'm not a mechanic, but as an engineer I understand the function.

Every car I have worked on has rubber between the spring and the perch. Car makers do not add unnecessary parts on their cars unless it is needed.

These perches actually lengthen the static distance from Bottom Spring Perch (fixed on strut) to Top Spring Perch (Supreme Power) so the spring is not as compressed upon top hat assembly as it was with stock top hat.

Thus, the car now sees an initially lighter spring (same spring but not as compressed as stock assembly) with the strut sitting further into its stroke (hence the approximate 0.5 inch lowering), and in my case has further increases bump stop activity. Outcome will vary based on existing strut/spring that is used and their related baseline performance.

if 'the strut is sitting further into its stroke', does that mean I'll wear out my struts faster with the perches then without?

I disagree with your statement that the rubber is not needed. The thickness of the rubber will have minimum effect on the ride height, but it provides movement without squeaks and pops. I'm not a mechanic, but as an engineer I understand the function.

Every car I have worked on has rubber between the spring and the perch. Car makers do not add unnecessary parts on their cars unless it is needed.

It isn't needed. Mine has zero squeaks or rattles and I left the rubber out.

I plan on using these with my stock non-sport springs and bilstein hd dampers. Idea is that the perches will make up for the increase in ride height that the bilsteins can cause. I would think this minor lowering will be no problem for a robust damper like the bilstein hd.

Also thinking about plasti-dipping the top coil to prevent noise from metal-metal contact but retain good fit of spring on perch.

That's helpful Avocet, thanks. I assume you also left out the rubber piece from the perch?

What springs are your running D4 and D3? How did the ride quality and handling change?

I never checked what spring rates I had... Std 328i e90 sport springs fwiw.
And no rubber pads on perches.
I have found the ride to be a fair bit firmer, but with less crashing and it is much more controlled. There is alot more road feedback and 'noise', but I did m3 front arms and rear sub bushings and sways at the same time.